Kidnappers
of the Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Lagos
State, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, have allegedly demanded $1m (about N160m) ransom
for his release.
of the Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Lagos
State, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, have allegedly demanded $1m (about N160m) ransom
for his release.
Bamigbetan,
a former Chief Press Secretary of ex-Governor Bola Tinubu,
was kidnapped at about 11.30pm on Monday while returning from
office with his driver.
a former Chief Press Secretary of ex-Governor Bola Tinubu,
was kidnapped at about 11.30pm on Monday while returning from
office with his driver.
But his
driver, who escaped from the four kidnappers sustained
injury.
driver, who escaped from the four kidnappers sustained
injury.
A
ranking council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, said
the kidnappers called Bamigbetan’s wife and demanded $1m ransom.
ranking council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, said
the kidnappers called Bamigbetan’s wife and demanded $1m ransom.
He
said, “The kidnappers called the chairman’s wife around 2.30am on
Tuesday. She is the only one they (kidnappers) have established communication
with. They however warned her against letting the police into the matter.
said, “The kidnappers called the chairman’s wife around 2.30am on
Tuesday. She is the only one they (kidnappers) have established communication
with. They however warned her against letting the police into the matter.
“After
that call, the family tried the number they used in calling but it indicated it
was switched off. It is believed that the kidnappers would call again since
they had established contact with the chairman’s wife.”
that call, the family tried the number they used in calling but it indicated it
was switched off. It is believed that the kidnappers would call again since
they had established contact with the chairman’s wife.”
Efforts
to talk to Bamigbetan’s wife were not successful as family members said
she was so downcast to speak with journalists.
to talk to Bamigbetan’s wife were not successful as family members said
she was so downcast to speak with journalists.
It was
learnt that council chairmen in the state met today (Tuesday)
and resolved that they should rally round Bamigbetan and raise
the sum.
learnt that council chairmen in the state met today (Tuesday)
and resolved that they should rally round Bamigbetan and raise
the sum.
The
chairmen were said to have agreed that every council chairman should
contribute N1m each to facilitate the payment of the ransom.
chairmen were said to have agreed that every council chairman should
contribute N1m each to facilitate the payment of the ransom.
Efforts
to speak with the driver also proved abortive as he was said to
have gone for treatment at a nearby hospital.
to speak with the driver also proved abortive as he was said to
have gone for treatment at a nearby hospital.
On how
the kidnapping was executed, another council source, who did not want his name
mentioned, said Bamigbetan and his driver noticed the kidnappers
near them.
the kidnapping was executed, another council source, who did not want his name
mentioned, said Bamigbetan and his driver noticed the kidnappers
near them.
He
said, “When they sighted the kidnappers, Bamigbetan driver reversed. The
kidnappers gave them a chase. In the process, his driver hit an electric
pole and the car stopped.
said, “When they sighted the kidnappers, Bamigbetan driver reversed. The
kidnappers gave them a chase. In the process, his driver hit an electric
pole and the car stopped.
“It was
in the process that they started shooting at his car. Since the road in the
area is in deplorable condition, the driver could not meander his way. That was
how the chairman was caught. But the driver, who sustained injuries, managed to
escape.”
in the process that they started shooting at his car. Since the road in the
area is in deplorable condition, the driver could not meander his way. That was
how the chairman was caught. But the driver, who sustained injuries, managed to
escape.”
When Punch Metro visited Bamigbetan’s residence, a
prayer session was in progress.
prayer session was in progress.
Outside
the compound, scores of sympathisers were in pensive mood discussing the
incident.
the compound, scores of sympathisers were in pensive mood discussing the
incident.
Prayers
were also held at the secretariat by both Christians and Muslims for the safe
return of the LG boss.
were also held at the secretariat by both Christians and Muslims for the safe
return of the LG boss.
At the
offices in the council, work literally stopped as workers were
seen discussing.
offices in the council, work literally stopped as workers were
seen discussing.
A
Jeep with plate number LAGOS KOK in which Bamigbetan was kidnapped was
parked on his compound, riddled with bullets.
Jeep with plate number LAGOS KOK in which Bamigbetan was kidnapped was
parked on his compound, riddled with bullets.
Fasehun
orders manhunt
orders manhunt
President
and Founder, Oodua People’s Congress, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has
ordered members of the group in Lagos and other South-West states
to collaborate with security operatives to find Bamigbetan.
and Founder, Oodua People’s Congress, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has
ordered members of the group in Lagos and other South-West states
to collaborate with security operatives to find Bamigbetan.
Fasehun,
who gave the directive in a statement on Tuesday, demanded
the immediate release of the council chairman.
who gave the directive in a statement on Tuesday, demanded
the immediate release of the council chairman.
He
said, “We just heard about this unfortunate incident, which has filtered
through Lagos State and is all over the Internet. Kehinde Bamigbetan is our
son, a Yoruba man.
said, “We just heard about this unfortunate incident, which has filtered
through Lagos State and is all over the Internet. Kehinde Bamigbetan is our
son, a Yoruba man.
“Whoever
touches any Yoruba man touches the apple of OPC’s eye and will pay dearly.”
touches any Yoruba man touches the apple of OPC’s eye and will pay dearly.”
He
asked OPC leaders, including the National Secretary, Mr. Dare Adesope, to
call for meetings with the organisation’s leadership in Ejigbo , in
order to guarantee Bamigbetan’s safe return to his family.
asked OPC leaders, including the National Secretary, Mr. Dare Adesope, to
call for meetings with the organisation’s leadership in Ejigbo , in
order to guarantee Bamigbetan’s safe return to his family.
“We
warn whoever is behind this evil act that Bamigbetan must be released unharmed.
Not one strand of his hair must be hurt,” he said.
warn whoever is behind this evil act that Bamigbetan must be released unharmed.
Not one strand of his hair must be hurt,” he said.
Source: Punch
